At just 24 years old, NFL linebacker Joshua Perry announced his retirement Monday, citing his being recently diagnosed with a sixth concussion and his overall mental health as the primary reason.

“Football has been one of the biggest blessings in my life, but recent concerns about concussions and the health of my brain have led me to step away from the game,” Perry wrote in a statement posted Monday to his Twitter account. “I’ve recently sustained my 6th documented concussion. It wasn’t from a high velocity, big contact play. It was a very pedestrian thing, and that was a huge concern to me. The last thing I want to do is put the health of my brain and my future wellbeing in jeopardy over a game and over a paycheck.”

Perry had been in training camp with the Seahawks, with whom he had signed in June. He was a fourth-round pick by the Chargers in 2016.

He played in 15 games for the Chargers as a rookie, started once, and collected 22 tackles. The Chargers later placed Perry on injured reserve in 2017 because of a head injury, and then released him. The Indianapolis Colts then signed him to the practice squad in 2017, eventually promoting him to the active roster. He appeared in two games.

Perry was also a four-year player for Ohio State, registering 296 tackles and 7.5 sacks. He was a member of the Buckeyes' 2014 national championship squad.

Perry said in his statement that he plans on staying in Central Ohio and obtain his real estate license, and will try to stay close to sports through “writing, TV and radio.”

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Green Bay Packers linebacker Vince Biegel (45) hits the sled as other linebackers watch during a practice at NFL football training camp, Tuesday, July 31, 2018 at Ray Nitschke Field in Ashwaubenon, Wis. AP

Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Antonio Brown, center, talks with reporters after arriving for NFL football training camp with his family in a helicopter in Latrobe, Pa., Wednesday, July 25, 2018. AP